Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: VickGar on May 07, 2023, 03:11:37 PM

Title: Spring vs Fall bear trends
Post by: VickGar on May 07, 2023, 03:11:37 PM: Hello everyone,

I’ve been interested in bear hunting for around 3-4 years now. On my last 3 trips out I have been 100 yards from some nice bears. With no spring bear hunt , what are some things I should expect come fall? Do they stay in the general area, with August temps being warm should I focus on areas that have water close by? This fall season will be my first attempt and I would like some advice on fall habits.

Here’s a couple pics I was able to get if 2 different bears. I watch both bears for a few minutes. Range at 104 yards. Any guesses on boar or sow?
Title: Re: Spring vs Fall bear trends
Post by: huntnnw on May 08, 2023, 07:21:38 AM: Food! We have a pretty diverse area in WA so it’s hard to tell someone to hone in on “this” it’s all about berries come august then if there is fruit bearing trees they move to them. So what area you are hunting you need to learn the berries and then hunt the elevation they are ripe.
Title: Re: Spring vs Fall bear trends
Post by: hunter399 on May 08, 2023, 08:07:35 AM: I have seen bears in the spring ,be in the same area as fall.
But.........
I agree food sources are the key.
Thats all bears care about is food.
Depending on fall hunting pressure ,alot of the big ones go nocturnal come fall.
Just think of the steepest,deepest,nasty thick,place that doesn't have much hunting pressure.
Thats where the big one's are.
There's an old saying about bear hunting.
Where the road ends ,is where the hunt begins.
Title: Re: Spring vs Fall bear trends
Post by: huntnnw on May 08, 2023, 08:48:08 AM: We have spots where we shoot big bears less than 1/4 mi off the road. I can watch people glassing from the road when seeing bears :chuckle: this area when berries are ripe it’s not uncommon to see 3-7 bears a hillside.
Title: Re: Spring vs Fall bear trends
Post by: hunter399 on May 08, 2023, 09:25:29 AM: Quote from: huntnnw on May 08, 2023, 08:48:08 AM
We have spots where we shoot big bears less than 1/4 mi off the road. I can watch people glassing from the road when seeing bears :chuckle: this area when berries are ripe it’s not uncommon to see 3-7 bears a hillside.
Some areas are better then others.
Thats for sure. :chuckle:
Slam dunk for ya I guess. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Spring vs Fall bear trends
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on May 08, 2023, 10:13:32 AM: If you can get ahold of either or both of these, they are a great source:

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,199999.0.html

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,170988.0.html

Also the author is a member here, saylean.
Title: Re: Spring vs Fall bear trends
Post by: VickGar on May 08, 2023, 03:47:39 PM: Quote from: Blacktail Sniper on May 08, 2023, 10:13:32 AM
If you can get ahold of either or both of these, they are a great source:

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,199999.0.html

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,170988.0.html

Also the author is a member here, saylean.

I’ll check this out thanks!!
Title: Re: Spring vs Fall bear trends
Post by: VickGar on May 08, 2023, 03:51:01 PM: The 2 bears were about 5 miles from each other which makes me wonder how many are in the area. I went from not ever seeing any to now 3 for 3 on my last trips. They were roughly 5 miles from each other.